YaSeR kHaN

So let me give you a quick summary. I started my build with a local Illinois based shop about six years ago. I have a 07 C6 ZO6 and its basically fully built with every bell and whistle. This shop did all the proper work and I ALWAYS paid on time and EVERY dollar owed. A car taking six years to build whereas other companies such as Vengeance Racing are doing builds my caliber within 6-8 months. Where I am getting angry is that all the work they did, its still not tuned. It gets worse; they are building the motor adding a supercharger and RPM trans, cradle gets dropped and all but no one in the shop cared because while the cradle was down I could've evaded a lot of problems. Now after the car is put together and drives like **** after six years they want to charge me to drop the cradle again to install a new set of fuel pumps. SIX YEARS LATER. The car just goes to the shop, comes out and has not been drivable at all for SIX years. On top of that, they either have all my old parts or sold them off because I handed them multiple expensive clutches and they all disappeared. Now I don't know where any of my stock parts are. My car is still being worked on there even though its currently in my garage a paper weight, they should hold on to all my parts. I still have not broken ties with them. What is the proper course of action? Take them to court because they sold my parts valued over 2-3k without my knowledge and thats a felony in the state of Illinois. Anything over $300 stolen. I'm extremely aggravated and they Wrote on the RECEIPT I need a tune still. Is this normal? Am I freaking out for no reason or are these guys at the shop really taking advantage of my patience and need a big kick in the *** from my lawyers. Six god damn years to build a simple supercharged build whereas other companies do a cleaner and quicker job in a 1/8 of that time. Please I need some advice before I make mistakes and do anything wrong. I will not let the shop name out now but cmon. Shelling out too much money and this crap?

AORoads

Sorry to hear about this. Do you expect to go to small claims court? How much are you asking back in dollars and does it fit within the guidelines of your small claims court?

Just my opinion, but you've been far far far too lax with this "build" which really wasn't one. I'd guess it was more of a "progressive mod" (like a neighborhood progressive dinner where you go from house to house eating different "courses") meaning as you got the money to pay for it, you had one thing after another added to the car. In other words, there was no final plan on Day 1 that you knew what it all was that was going into the car, AND had the money to pay for it.

If it's truly small claims, how do you prove any of it---that you gave them new or newish clutches? Or that you didn't say, I don't need the old parts---they're yours, do what you want with them. If it's regular court you'd really have to have proof otherwise it's a story, but with no corroboration. I don't think you'll make it in regular court, and I doubt any lawyer would take your case for lack of proof. In small claims, maybe you'll collect but I doubt that, too.

Next time, do it differently. Think it out, have it in writing where both you and the shop sign on the dotted line. And everything is in there even if it seems small potatoes including time lines. Every time you "give something" to the shop, get a detailed receipt. Don't forget, even if the owner sez we don't need that, say, yes, we do. Time makes us forget things. If it's down in writing, it's not easy to forget or get out of. After all, it's nothing personal--it's just business--and really, IT IS!!! This is a lesson for you, and for others who might read this thread.

Dimewise

Post their name so others dont get screwed. Or take them to court. Charge back your purchases if possible bc work is not done as agreed.

Also, and most importantly...why did you allow this for six years?

jimijam

Subscribing.

Ira T

SIX years? I hope they drained the gas tanks when they were done, especially if there was ethanol added!
Speaking for myself, NO mods are worth waiting SIX years for!

hawkgfr

Nothing is gonna fix that now. Sorry.

Ahrmike

take the car back. The best outcome is you get your car tuned elsewhere/rebuilt/whatever and go after them for damages. If they have your car, they have you by the *****.

73DBG

Been down this road....not near as severe, this might be the most severe possible. Pay these fools once and for all gonget the car and be done with these *** 🤡!! It’s gonna be painful but it’s the only way to move forward bro....very expensive and time consuming life lesson right here, unfortunately there is no way for you to salvage a win in this situation....it’s a hard pill to swallow but take the L and get away from this place!!

jpm995

I've had some car horror stories and made many mistakes, when a cars in a shop too long bad stuff always happens. Get the car back and go somewhere else. Getting money back is hard to do. They will probably deny they had the parts or claim it was in trade for work done. If it's driveable drive it like you want to make up for 6 lost years. Its a beast even without a proper tune or s/c. Hard way to learn a lesson, hope you can get this resolved.

Landru

Have this lousy feeling OP does not have a contract. No agreement re time etc.
AO tried saying get everything in writing, ie, a written contract.
W/O one it can get ugly, fast

OP has to be very careful, outfit sounds very tenuous.

Landru

How much $ are they into you for, Ya?

Have to agree w/ a few others, chasing lice like this can cost more than the loss.
Get what you can, starting w/ Z06, and immediately go elsewhere. Spend some time getting legit refs, too.
THEN take your anger out on the idiots w/ a scathing, detailed online review.

Jeff T.

Get your car in your possession, document all you can and get a lawyer.

StayinStock

well this thread is from 5 years ago so hopefully OP resolved his issue....

PMPerformance

Looks like you bumped the necro thread. Lol

StayinStock

nope, guy I replied to deleted his post lol

PMPerformance

wait, you can delete posts? I didn’t even know that. Hahaha

ok, I thought you were slipping today. Hahaha

StayinStock

yep, its under edit lol, the RT hasn't gotten me in a long time lol

yeller z06

So, now it's been 11 years? LOL. I hope he got it all worked out.

FAUEE

That was his first and only post. So I'd wager the story ain't even real.